there are a lot of ways to get a dui. and a lot of ways to go. text a friend. call a cab. share a ride. whatever you choose to do, go safely, california. tonight, the major winter storm heading into the final weekd of the year. heavy snow and freezing rain across ten states, from arizona to minnesota. major highways shut down. drivers unable to move for hours. the powerful system making its way east. rob marciano timing it out. disturbing allegations about the retired navy s.e.a.l. acquitted of war crimes. recently obtained interviews showing fellow s.e.a.l.s calling him "evil" and "toxic." the s.e.a.l. recently visiting president trump at mar-a-lago. the tourist chopper down. the tour helicopter vanishing off hawaii. the urgent search for survivors at this hour. a pilot and six passengers on board, including two children. what authorities revealed late today. the massive explosion.

a powerful blast ripping through an airplane facility. nitrogen gas exploding. the building collapsing. nearly a dozen people injured. overseas, the deadly plane crash. at least 12 people killed. more than 60 hurt. a baby among the passengers rescued. a survivor describing the moment the plane started to come apart. up in flames. the historic home destroyed by fire. the house that stood for 120 years, crumbling to the ground in a matter of hours. the new lawsuit just filed after reports of hackers gaining access to home security cameras, claiming they can see and hear you. and this just in -- veteran radio host don imus has died. controversial, offensive, and always outspoken. a career spanning nearly 50 years on the air. and good evening. it's great to have you with us on a busy friday night heading into the final weekend before the new year. we begin with a major winter storm wreaking havoc on travel

plans for millions of americans. heavy snow and freezing rain from arizona to minnesota. up to two feet of snow forcing part of interstate 15 to close in southern california. drivers stranded for hours. multiple water rescues reported around los angeles. people trapped on flooded roads, their vehicles surrounded by water. winter storm watches and warnings in effect through sunday as the system push its way east. alex perez is in chicago to lead us off. >> reporter: tonight, much of southern california still reeling from that powerful storm that's finally pushing east. >> never, ever did i think it was this bad. >> reporter: hundreds of motorists stranded on interstate 15, a crucial connector between l.a. and las vegas, a major new year's eve destination. the freeway finally moving again after 3 feet of snow and ice shut the artery down for 36 hours. the highway patrol shut down interstate 5 north of los angeles on christmas day, forcing some motorists to wait it out for a day and a half.

>> 30 years i've lived in the high desert. i've never been stuck. never. this is bad. this is horrible. >> reporter: police cruisers finally escorting motorists across the cajon pass late this morning. now that storm is on the move and expanding. ten states on alert tonight for snow, ice, and blizzard conditions that threaten to disrupt flights during peak times for flyers. parts of arizona blanketed in snow. in hanna, wyoming, overnight, 21 train cars derailed. thankfully, the freight it was carrying wasn't dangerous. there were no injuries. and icy conditions in the east. this jackknifed tractor trailer shut down the main turnpike for hours. >> alex perez jones us now from chicago. alex, that storm could affect travel in the midwest, a busy travel day tomorrow. >> reporter: that's right. as it moves in, mainly heavy rain and gusty winds here. this weekend. that could impact travel at

o'hare, a busy cross country hub. already some airlines are issuing travel waivers in minneapolis and denver, as parts of the upper midwest are bracing for blizzard conditions. tom? >> alex perez leading us off tonight. alex, thank you. let's get right to rob marciano, live in phoenix for us tonight. good evening. >> reporter: good evening, tom. this storm is set to strengthen and grow. we still have and winter weather advisories in arizona. you see it on the radar where the low is just to our east and the warnings extend all the way to minnesota. denver, you're about to get the first snow for the month of december. then it really ramps up during the day tomorrow. difficult travel through denver, i-70 and i-80. minneapolis going on icy as well. maybe blizzard conditions on the back side of this. that cold front pushes in unusual warmth. and severe storms from memphis, nashville, cincinnati, atlanta, during the day. could see a foot of snow on the back side of this. and heavy rain moves into the northeast. monday morning looks to be a mess for travel through the northeast as well.

tom? >> rob, thank you. we move to the urgent search at this hour for a missing tour helicopter off hawaii. wreckage located late today. a pilot and six passengers on board, including two children. the chopper reported missing after it was overdue from a sightseeing trip over kauai. rough weather slowing the search for possible survivors. here's abc's marcus moore. >> reporter: tonight, a tragic end to the urgent search for a tour helicopter that vanished on hawaii's kauai island. first responders finding the wreckage of the helicopter that had been carrying seven people, including the pilot and two children. authorities searching for survivors right now. the wreckage found in a mountainous area on the west side of the island. that helicopter was due back thursday at sunset, but never arrived, setting off a search involving several agencies, including the coast guard. thick cloud cover and rain making the search even more difficult. the chopper belongs to safari helicopters, one of several companies that take tourists along the stunning na pali coast, over the majestic

mountains and towering waterfalls, and through the breathtaking canyons. this is video of a previous tour posted to the company's website. according to the web page, safari helicopters offers two tours, one that even lands at a wildlife refuge. the company also highlighting "30 years of perfect helicopter safety." the helicopter did have an emergency electronic locator, but no signals were ever sent. the mayor issuing a statement tonight, sending thoughts and prayers to the families of those involved. >> marcus, thank you. next to the chilling headline about a retired navy s.e.a.l. acquitted of war crimes. "the new york times" obtaining confidential interviews of fellow s.e.a.l.s describing special operations chief eddie gallagher as, quote, evil and toxic. accusing him of targeting civilians, including children. shown here visiting president trump at mar-a-lago. the president ignoring pentagon

leaders, intervening in the case on gallagher's behalf. here's will carr tonight. >> reporter: tonight, in these chilling videos, navy s.e.a.l.s accusing one of their own of war crimes. >> i think he just wants to kill anybody he can. you could tell he was perfectly okay with killing anybody. >> reporter: the men, seen in civilian clothing, were interviewed for an investigation into eddie gallagher's alleged war crimes in 2017, including the murder of a wounded isis fighter in iraq. some of the navy s.e.a.l.s nervously recounting gallagher spiraling out of control, one even calling him evil. >> the guy was toxic. the guy got crazier and crazier. >> reporter: in video obtained by "the new york times" for a documentary series called "the weekly," you can see the teenage isis fighter barely conscious. gallagher is then seen crouching over the injured teen with his medic bag. then a hand reaches up and turns off the helmet camera. one of the s.e.a.l.s describing what he saw next. >> all of the sudden, eddie just starts stabbing the dude, probably two or three times.

it was just like a stab about right here, just in a few times. >> reporter: but during gallagher's trial, that s.e.a.l., corey scott dropping a bombshell, claiming he killed the teen, not gallagher. gallagher was then found not guilty of the most serious murder charges. although he was found guilty for posing in these pictures. one a group shot of what's called a deer kill picture. in another, you can see gallagher proudly holding the deceased teenager's head up. >> is there any doubt in your mind that these are war crimes? >> no. >> reporter: president trump repeatedly offering support to gallagher, even intervening when he was about to lose his navy s.e.a.l. pin and possibly his pension. >> they wanted to take his pin away, and i said, no, you're not going to take it away. he was a great fighter. >> reporter: just before christmas gallagher proudly posting a picture showing him and his wife with the president at mar-a-lago. tonight, gallagher's attorney firing back, saying it's the men in these videos who are to blame. >> this was a small group of individuals who didn't like

their chief because he was pushing them too hard. they didn't like the mission. they were afraid of the combat that they were enduring over there. it wasn't what they wanted. they just wanted to get rid of their chief. >> will carr join us live. his lawyer going after the s.e.a.l.s who spoke out, personally attacking their bravery. and tonight, gallagher is releasing a statement? >> reporter: that's right. he said he was initially surprised and disgusted when he saw the videos. but says when he thought about it for a while, he did not think the accounts could hold up under tough questioning. tonight, he points to his acquittal as his vindication. >> will, thank you. now to the massive explosion in wichita, kansas. more than a dozen people hurt during awe powerful blast at an airplane facility. nitrogen gas exploding, debris scattered across the area. here's adrienne bankert. >> reporter: tonight, a massive explosion caught on camera, rocking this aviation plant in kansas, sending nearly a dozen people to the hospital. >> there's a big explosion at plant three and they're currently evacuating.

>> reporter: the powerful blast causing part of a building to collapse, sending chunks of concrete flying, damaging cars in the parking lot. 15 people were injured, 1 critically. >> our primary responsibility right now is to our employees and to those impacted by this. >> that barely missed our gas. >> reporter: authorities say the explosion happened around 8:00 a.m. at this beechcraft facility in wichita after a nitrogen gas line ruptured. >> there is no health hazard, but if people are concerned about that venting, they can shelter in their homes. and they'll be fine. >> reporter: textron aviation, the parent company of beechcraft and cessna, says it builds prototype planes in the building where this blast occurred, and some items can be highly explosive. the cause of the blast is under investigation. the company says there were fewer workers on site because of the holiday. tom? >> adrienne, thank you. news about the deadly plane

crash in kazakhstan. at lea 12 people killed and dozens hurt. survivors describing the terrifying moment their plane began to vibrate and shattered as it was going down. here's ian pannell. >> reporter: tonight, the plane crash just seconds after takeoff and passengers who walked out alive. the plane was departing kazakhstan when it got into trouble. this man was on board. >> the whole body of the plane sta start started shattering, vibrating very intensity. >> reporter: the plane hit a concrete fence and a two-story building. you can see the fuselage around the building and the rear of the plane in the field next to the airport. there were nearly 100 onboard. 12 were killed, almost 50 are in hospital. eight in critical condition. miraculously, many survived, including this baby. plucked from the wreckage by a policeman. for this man, all he could think of when they were going down was his son and 4-year-old daughter,

ariana. >> she's my sweetheart. i was thinking about her when i went in the plane, yes. that, what would she do without me? >> reporter: investigators will want to look at the age and condition of the plane, as well as pilot performance. given how cold it was, they also need to check how thoroughly it had been de-iced. tom? >> ian pannell with that horrific accident tonight. thank you. back here at home, news involving ousted cardinal peter mccarrick. reports that he wrote checks for more than $600,000, to aides in roam. payments made at the same time the vatican was under fire for failing to investigate allegations of sexual harassment against him. here's david wright. >> reporter: tonight, tough new questions for the roman catholic church about why officials turned a blind eye for years to allegations of sexual misconduct by former cardinal theodore mccarrick. "the washington post" reports mccarrick gave hundreds of

thousands of dollars from a discretionary fund he controlled to powerful church figures, including $90,000 to pope john paul and $291,000 to pope benedict. pope francis finally defrocked mccarrick last year after a vatican investigation found him guilty of abusing his office for sex. church officials have never explained why they failed to act sooner. father boniface ramsey, now a priest in manhattan, reported mccarrick's alleged misconduct nearly two decades ago. >> i sent the letter, and then i never heard a thing. that was it. >> reporter: and after that, he became a cardinal. "the post" says that official who received that letter also received thousands of dollars from mccarrick. >> this is problematic. this just -- it doesn't pass the smell test. >> reporter: all told, the "post" uncovered more than

$600,000 in donations from mccarrick's fund. no official comment from the vatican. someone who received money told the "post, these were customary gifts and none of it influenced their decision makes. tom? >> david wright, thank you. a passing note, don imus has died. he spent more than 50 years in radio. a reputation of being gruff and confrontational. he made racist, sexist, and offensive comments on air, comments that got him fired. everyone was a target. he took pride in his charity work. which helped children with cancer and other illnesses. don imus was 79. the race against time. federal authorities joining the search for a 14-year-old missing for a week. plus, ring and amazon sued over a string of alleged hacks on home security cameras. are the devices leaving you exposed? and 120 years of history going up in flames.

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next tonight, to the concern over hackers inside of your home. a new lawsuit against amazon and ring. here's abc's erielle reshef. >> reporter: for weeks we've seen the terrifying invasions of privacy. >> who is that? >> i'm your best friend. i'm santa claus. >> mommy! >> reporter: home cameras apparently hacked. a sinister voice taunting this 8-year-old in her own bedroom. >> i can't hear you. >> you're an [ bleep ] go tell mommy you're an [ bleep ] >> being terrorized by somebody through this camera and they didn't stop. >> reporter: now an alabama father filing a lawsuit accusing ring and its owner amazon of lax security standards. the father of three, claiming the ring camera above his garage was hacked, allowing a stranger to talk to his kids, encouraging them to get closer to the camera as they played basketball in the driveway.

ring has insisted the problem is with weak or compromised passwords, but the lawsuit alleging, it is ring who failed to provide sufficiently robust security measures such as two-factor authentication. tom, that lawsuit also raising questions about hackers who stay silent and may go undetected for months, even years. ring tonight saying it does not comment on legal matters. tom? >> erielle, thank you. when we come back the update into the sudden death of an espn reporter. word he was suffering from more than pneumonia. and a disturbing string of anti-semitic attacks at the start of hanukkah. stay with us. ing of anti-semitic attacks at the start of hanukkah. stay with us. (man) we weave security into their business. (man) we weave security into their business. (man) we weave security into their business. (second man) virtualize their operations. (second man) virtualize their operations. (woman) and build ai customer experiences. (second woman) we also keep them ready for the next big opportunity. like 5g. like 5g. like 5g. almost all of the fortune 500 partner with us. almost all of the fortune 500 partner with us. almost all of the fortune 500 partner with us. (woman) when it comes to digital transformation... (woman) when it comes to digital transformation... verizon keeps business ready.

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incidents during hanukkah. one of the seven reported attacks here this week caught on camera. surveillance video showing a group of teenagers knocking a man of the jewish faith to the ground. the city's mayor, bill de blasio, meeting with religious leaders today following a shooting threat at the headquarters of a jewish organization. other attacks reported include women and children. and the investigation tonight into a massive fire that destroyed a prized turn of the century home. flames tearing through the 6,500-square-foot historic home in concord, massachusetts. multiple fire departments working to fight the blaze. the home, built in 1897, is valued at $2.9 million. luckily no one was home when the fire started. when we come back, from a hollywood icon to a civil rights champion we are remembering all those we lost in 2019. hollywood icon to a civil rights champion, we're honoring those we lost in 2019. getting those steps in? on it! dimitri thinks he's doing all he can to manage his type 2 diabetes and heart disease,

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finally tonight, in memoriam. the rockers, writers, and lawmakers, and one of our own we said good-bye to in 2019. ♪ shake it up shake it up ♪ shake it up >> there's only one track, one goal, one destination. ♪ >> i intend to have a memorable stay. ♪ >> oh, snuffy, i guess this is good-bye. >> don't forget, big bird -- we love you! ♪

>> aah! ♪ >> do your own thing, in your own time. ♪ >> free? there's no free here. look, i'm the boss. no freedom. i'm the boss. ♪ >> i'm very pleased you got a big part in a play. terrific. so what did you have to do to get it? >> take a firm hold of the hypodermic needle. right. ♪ ♪ que sera sera, whatever will be will be ♪

♪ the future's not ours to see >> the pinnacle for a me as a writer is really the writing. the next book, doing it better. and better. every time out. ♪ >> from abc news, "this week" with cokie roberts. >> they seem to keep it works and they all keep opting in the system. if we knocked down women. cokie roberts, abc news. ♪ >> and we will never forget our cokie. always with us. thank you so much for watching. i'm tom llamas. good night. good night.

. next at 6:00, san francisco's cultural dilemma. just feet from trendy stores, the homeless camp out in the cold. how the city is responding in our effort to build a better bay area. >> and a police dispatcher surprise call from her own daughter. so why is she smiling? and the new social media privacy law. 7 on your side michael finney explains what you need to do to make it work. >> announcer: now news to build a better bay area. from abc 7. >> times change. things are moving fast. there is -- that is all i could say. it is not like it used to be. >> in a city of rich and poor, you could see the contrast in san francisco's boy view district quite starkly. just outside of a store filled with lush greenery is proof of a problem that will simply not go away. i'm dan ashley. >> and i'm ama daetz. city officials have spend time and money. >> and yesterday trump blamed

gavin newsom and sp and again addressing the issue is part of our effort to build a better bay area. >> lyanne melendez joins us with more on what you found. >> i found it during my time off, during the holiday break. i discovered this entiren camp compromised of rvs and cars that people are living in, i would say an entire neighborhood and i thought we have to show our viewers so that we continue this dialogue, even during the holidays. >> reporter: the streets in the tenderloin district of san francisco are looking cleaner. but supervisor matt haney said there is still much to do to take care of the homeless population. >> the question is how hard can we work and fight for more solutions so people do see a difference on the streets. >> reporter: the city has a lot of places that resemble an oasis like this garden center in the bay view district but outside of the structures we often see the unpredictability of a neighborhood. this is gerald ue